Boulder Offroad 6" lift for Express

V

viking69

New member
Hello,

I have a 2006 Chevy Express AWD that has been a great rig and now has about 130k on it. When I bought the van I was definitely wanting to go for the 4x4 econoline but landed with the chevy and have been happy with it. The thing gets to the ski area and handles snowy roads here in Oregon like nobody's business. I do want more offroad capability, not hard four wheel driving but better clearance and ability to handle forest service roads and moderate offroad driving rutted roads etc.

I was pretty much set on selling the chevy and going the E350 route but then I came across Boulder Offroad's 6" suspension lift. Does anyone have experience with this and can provide me with their impressions and feedback? The Chevy is paid for and would I have to finance at least a portion of the cost of a ford. But, struggling whether to put more money into the chevy and just pull the trigger on the ford.

Thanks for sharing any experience with the Boulder kit.
 
N

North

Observer
Cannot offer any experience with the Boulder Kit, but if you decide to go for the Ford, let me know. I've been searching for an AWD Express for months.
 
S

simple

Adventurer
What are your limitations on forest service roads? Might not take much to remedy. Concerning clearance, are you high centering the rear axle in ruts or scraping things under the belly of the van? How much do you drive offroad versus on? 5% off 95% on?
 
B

BPappas

New member
I installed the 4" lift kit on my 2013 3500 Passenger Van. Its a great kit and the guys from Boulder Offroad are pro's and were a pleasure to deal with.
 
86cj

86cj

Explorer
viking69 said:
Hello,

I have a 2006 Chevy Express AWD that has been a great rig and now has about 130k on it. When I bought the van I was definitely wanting to go for the 4x4 econoline but landed with the chevy and have been happy with it. The thing gets to the ski area and handles snowy roads here in Oregon like nobody's business. I do want more offroad capability, not hard four wheel driving but better clearance and ability to handle forest service roads and moderate offroad driving rutted roads etc.
Click to expand...

I pushed all my chips in on this same issue a few years ago and have been happily getting by with a GM 1/2 ton AWD Van. I have had a heavy 12' truck camper and 4x4 dually for decades, it can't fit where it could actually go. I started backcountry tenting again out of a Jeep LJ with 33" tires and realized vast portions of our public land offers little challenge to an experienced driver and vehicle with good 32 or 33" tires. BTW I have talked to Forest Ranger's who lock the gate if the road is impassable to their 1/2 ton truck w/32" tires. A 6" IFS lift under a heavy van would not be my first choice for real serious duty, a straight axle conversion or U Joint Ford would be much stronger. I would also love to see a 6" lifted AWD Van posting up here like most of us.

BTW I do lust for a 6" U Joint Ford Van on 37" tires just like everybody else :drool:, I am reminded of the Jeep Wrangler on 40" tires that I thought I "needed" to go to Moab and have fun. BTW everybody that has a Wrangler on 40" tires talks about how great it drives "one finger at 85", but they rarely drive it anymore... just sayin'.........

You sound happy living with the 1/2 ton AWD Van and getting into one is the challenge, a 3" key lift with a small body lift might get some 33's on your van. Then put some skid plates under it and see how far into the trail you can go, bring new tie rods and a winch for peace of mind. If you are still not happy the resale market for the AWD Van is eagerly waiting.

Remember for axle clearance on rutted forest roads that 33" tires and a small 1/2 ton ring gear compared to 35" tires and a big 1 ton ring gear offer little extra room. Not looking down at your smart phone and a tire tread pattern that keeps you out of the bottom of the rut is more important.
 
S

simple

Adventurer
Good point on the axle clearance being similar between a half ton diff with 33's compared to a one ton diff with 35's.
 
B

BPappas

New member
The 4" spindle lift is the same as the 6" lift. The only difference is the with the 6" lift is you ad 2" with a coil spacer
 
DEFENDERBEAM

DEFENDERBEAM

strategic command
They have a picture of a van with that lift on their site, so they must have some decent feedback. Just gotta call them. They will happily take time to answer questions and give insight over the phone from my experience.
 
kntr

kntr

Observer
Anyone running the Boulder 6" AWD kit?

I'm surprised they run a 4" lift block in the back in a $5k lift kit.
 
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